Last night, I came across the news story of the 2-year-old toddler who was dragged away from his family while attending a movie night on the beach near the Grand Floridian Resort. As a huge fan of Disney, I'm in several Disney Facebook groups and the speculation and gossip about what had happened truly made me sick. I couldn't sleep last night and while a good amount of my friends had sympathy for the parents, a majority were judging those parents for letting the toddler be so close to the water. For not keeping an eye on them. Heck, I'm sure some were simply judging the parents for bring them to Walt Disney World in the first place. {rolls eyes}
The thing is, that could have been me because I am not a perfect parent. There is NO such thing as a perfect parent. I'm so sick and tired of the judging going on, especially in recent months. I don't know if it's made worse with social media or it's just how society is lately.
It could have been one of my kids last night. Five years ago, we stayed at The Grand Floridian Resort. My son was 3 years old and he played on that very beach. Yes, there are no swimming signs and he didn't go into the water. He COULD have -- he's a toddler and we all know how fast toddlers are. But he was right at the water's edge like I'm sure hundreds if not thousands of people do at Walt Disney World each year.
I've seen so many comments from people saying they should have known better or not have been so close to the water. Yes, officials are saying he was in the water. But again, he's a toddler. I can't imagine how fast he must have gotten away from his parents.
We need to stop the judging. I don't judge the poor mother who has been constantly judged for her son falling into the gorilla closure. I don't judge these parents. I have 3 kids...and I know that it could be me some day. What parents have to do is come together and support each other. These parents need our thoughts, our prayers, our good vibes and our pixie dust. What was supposed to be a vacation in the Happiest Place on Earth has turned into their worst nightmare and I can't stop thinking that it could have been me.
My heart is breaking for this family. Let's come together and support them and send love to them. It could have been us.